The Greater Boston Food Bank kicks off Super HungerMonth.

A celebrity chef cook-off, benefit brunches at top restaurants, a can & cash drive, online auction and more in January will help raise awareness, money and food

BOSTON -- The Greater Boston Food Bank kicks off Super Hunger Month--featuring a celebrity chef cook-off, a weekend of benefit brunches,

"Every one has a role in ending hunger and Super Hunger Month offers people a number of ways to help throughout January," said Catherine D'Amato, president and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank. "At this time of year heating bills often mean families must choose between going to bed hungry or going to bed in their overcoats. That's why we reach out now for support from the community. That support helps us feed 83,000 people a week through our network of member hunger-relief agencies throughout eastern Massachusetts."

The Greater Boston Food Bank's Super Hunger Month includes the following:

BOSTON BRUINS "5 FOR FIGHTING HUNGER CAN & CASH DRIVE"

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2008, 5 P.M., TD BANKNORTH GARDEN

The Boston Bruins will face off against hunger with their first-ever "5 For Fighting Hunger Can & Cash Drive" during their home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Members of the Bruins family and Food Bank volunteers will staff the vintage Boston Garden penalty box collecting either five non-perishable food items or $5 in cash from fans. Participating fans will be entered into a contest to win Boston Bruins autographed merchandise. "5 For Fighting Hunger" starts at 5 p.m. (two hours before game time) and ends after the first period. For more information about "5 For Fighting Hunger" and the best foods to donate, visit www.superhungermonth.org.

SUPER HUNGER ONLINE AUCTION, THURSDAY, JANUARY 17 - SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2008

WWW.SUPERHUNGERMONTH.ORG

Culinary-themed items and packages--from the downright delectable to the absolutely divine--will be up for bid during a 10-day online auction. Among the highlights: "Chef's Whim," a memorable meal prepared exclusively for the winning bidder and his or her party at Craigie Street Bistrot by Chef/Owner Tony Maws. Bidding kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on January 17, 2008 and closes 9 p.m. on January 27, 2008 at www.superhungermonth.org.

SUPER HUNGER CHEF CHALLENGE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2008, 6 P.M., FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BOSTON

Four Seasons Hotel Boston hosts the Super Hunger Chef Challenge, a culinary contest pitting renowned chefs Jody Adams of Rialto, Marc Orfaly of Pigalle and Marco, and TV celebrity chef Jon Ashton in a battle to the finish. Using food typically stocked by The Food Bank, these celebrity chefs will each create one of the courses for a lavish sit-down dinner. Enjoy cocktails provided by Van Gogh Vodka. Tickets: $250 per person; available online at www.superhungermonth.org.

SUPER HUNGER BRUNCH

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2008 AND SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008, 11 A.M.-2 P.M.*

Super Hunger Brunch offers a terrific "twofer" - a delicious brunch (What better to do on a wintry weekend morning?) and support for The Food Bank. Twenty-nine top area chefs will prepare a special brunch at their restaurants, priced at $25, $35 or $50 per person (depending on the establishment). The chefs, staffs and restaurants will donate their time, food, and fine service. Participating restaurant and reservation information is available on line at www.superhungermonth.org. See participating restaurants below*.

SUPER HUNGER ON YOUR OWN - THROUGHOUT JANUARY 2008

People can choose from a number of other activities to help fight hunger throughout January. Among the suggested activities listed on www.superhungermonth.org are:

Super Hunger At Home--Whip up a recipe submitted by one of the Super Hunger Brunch celebrity chefs--including Jody Adams of Rialto and Jasper White of Jasper White's Summer Shack--and invite a few friends over for a fundraising feast for The Food Bank.

Super Hunger At Work--Skip lunch or your afternoon coffee break once a week throughout January and donate the price of your daily tuna on rye or latte to The Food Bank.

Super Hunger At The Food Bank--Help sort and repack food donated by more than 600 food donors--from major retailers to church groups and schools. Call us at 617-427-5200 or contact: volunteer@gbfb.org to sign up.

The Greater Boston Food Bank distributes approximately 30 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to more than 600 hunger-relief agencies in a dedicated partnership to end hunger in eastern Massachusetts. The Food Bank serves 83,000 people each week. For more information about The Greater Boston Food Bank, visit www.gbfb.org or call 617-427-5200.

*Participating Super Hunger Brunch restaurants:

Appetito

Bistro 712

Blue Ginger

Caliterra

Casa Romero

Chez Henri

CLINK at The Liberty Hotel

Davio's

Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks

The Elephant Walk

EVOO

The Fireplace

The Grapevine

Great Bay

Grill 23 & Bar

Icarus

Jasper White's Summer Shack

Kingfish Hall

La Morra

L'Espalier

Laurel Bar & Grill

MARE

Pigalle

Rialto

Rocca Kitchen & Bar

Sel de la Terre

Sibling Rivalry

Tosca

VOX Populi